Course Title: Judicial Leadership – Year 1 (Foundational) and Year 2 (Advanced)

Delivery Mode: In-person

Duration: 5 days (Intensive programme) for each year

Accredited by: University of Cape Town, Faculty of Law

 

Course Overview

Year 1 Foundational Course

This foundational course offers senior judicial officers the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the core theories and internal principles of effective judicial leadership.
Going beyond legal knowledge, it focuses on the leader within, exploring concepts of integrity, self-awareness, and moral reasoning to build a solid foundation for leading judiciaries with wisdom and resilience.

Participants will engage in deep self-reflection, explore leadership psychology, and begin developing the personal competencies required to inspire trust and drive positive change within the justice system.

 

Year 2 Advanced Course

The advanced course builds on the foundational Year I programme, offering senior judicial leaders the opportunity to master the practical application of leadership skills in a complex judicial environment.
Focusing on external impact and institutional legacy, it combines advanced people management, strategic communication, and resilience-building to equip leaders to manage high-performing teams, navigate public scrutiny, and design enduring judicial reforms.

Participants will develop tangible tools and strategies to lead their judiciaries effectively, manage change, and leave a lasting legacy of excellence.

 

What You'll Learn

By the end of the foundational course, participants will be able to:

  • Apply the Six Selves Leadership Integrity Model to enhance self-awareness and leadership presence.

  • Understand and mitigate the impact of unconscious bias on judicial leadership and decision-making.

  • Articulate a personal leadership vision rooted in depth leadership and moral considerations.

  • Analyse the concept of leadership agency and its role in effective judicial stewardship.

  • Begin constructing a personal leadership development plan for ongoing growth.

 

By the end of the advanced course participants will be able to:

  • Apply advanced principles of self-regulation, communication, and conflict resolution to lead judicial teams effectively.

  • Design and implement strategies for building high-performing, resilient judiciaries.

  • Develop and deliver clear communication, including press statements, to engage confidently with the media and the public.

  • Construct a practical model for a successful judiciary and design an actionable plan to achieve an enduring legacy.

  • Propose and draft techniques to strengthen institutional and individual judicial resilience.

 

Who Should Enrol

This course is designed for:

  • Senior judges, court presidents and chief justices;

  • Heads of Court and senior judicial managers;

  • Appellate court justices preparing for leadership roles.

 

Participants are typically selected for their potential to hold or already hold significant leadership positions within the judiciary.

For the Advanced Course, participation is typically contingent on successful completion of the Year I foundational programme.

 

How You'll Learn

  • Advanced practical workshops on media engagement, conflict resolution, and change management;

  • Group project sessions to develop a tangible Judicial Leadership Toolkit;

  • Insights from guest speakers including renowned neuroscientists and former heads of court on leadership and courage;

  • Legacy and strategic planning exercises to design a model for a successful judiciary;

  • Presentation and feedback sessions to refine leadership communication and project plans.

 

Course Convenor

Dr. Mathilda Twomey, Academic Director, JIFA

Dr Hélène Smith, Depth Facilitator and coach 

With contributions from special leaders and coaches, senior members of the African judiciary, academics from the University of Cape Town and other universities, and invited experts.

 

Certification

Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Judicial Institute for Africa (JIFA) of the Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town.

 

Course Fee

US$ TBC

Includes full access to course materials, discussion forums, and certification.

Institutional and group enrolment options are available.

 

What graduates say

Year 1 Foundational Course

  • "This course was a profound journey inward. Understanding the 'Six Selves' model gave me a new framework for self-awareness that directly impacts my leadership on the bench."
  • "The focus on moral considerations and leadership integrity provided a crucial ethical compass that is often missing from traditional judicial training."
  • "The intimate setting and individual coaching sessions were invaluable. For the first time, I could confidentially work through the unique challenges of my leadership role.”

Year 2 Advanced Course

  • "Year 2 masterfully shifted from theory to practice. The media training and conflict resolution tools are immediately applicable to the real-world challenges I face as a Chief Justice."

  • "Designing a legacy plan for my judiciary was a transformative exercise. This course moves beyond day-to-day management to focus on creating lasting, positive institutional change."

  • "The insights from world-class experts like Professor Solms on emotion and judges, combined with the collaborative project work, created a powerful and unique learning experience."

 

Apply Now

Join an African-wide community of judicial professionals committed to excellence and integrity.

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